In December 2024, staff from the U.S. Forest Service and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) were looking for a way to replace deteriorating signage on four Ruffed Grouse Management Areas (RGMAs) in the Lakewood-Laona District of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
At the 2024 Grouse Camp in Eagle River, Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) staff were talking with hunters when one expressed interest in donating funds toward work in the areas he hunts and has enjoyed over the years. It just so happened that he used the RGMAs on the national forest that needed new signage.
Jim Woodford, RGS & AWS forest wildlife specialist based in Rhinelander, was aware of the need for sign replacements and had an idea. Woodford’s position is a partnership between RGS and the Wisconsin DNR, which enabled the relationship building needed to bring everyone together.
Woodford reached out to Tom Carlson, Wisconsin DNR wildlife biologist in Forest County, and local U.S. Forest Service staff members John Lampereur and Blake Rouzer to coordinate the project. The Forest Service couldn’t receive the gift directly, but the Wisconsin DNR was able to. The three worked together to make it happen.
Lampereur and Rouzer designed and installed the signs, while Carlson assisted with funding. The generous donation helped purchase new signs and installation materials to make this cooperative project possible.
The signs, installed in June 2025 at Binder Lake, Bushafer Road, LaFave Road and McCaslin Brook RGMAs, look fantastic and will last for many years to come.
